27th March 2009
RE: TOW TRUCK SCAM!!!!! 
Here is a little story that I thought you mind find quite interesting and I think it would make a great show, to expose ‘TOW TRUCK’ drivers/companies for what they really are!
On the night of the 31st January 2009, I was on my way home from a friend’s house, I swerved my car to avoid two pedestrians running across the road and I hit an island in the middle of the road – bursting my front tyre! After pulling over and a long wait, a young couple came to my rescue and changed my tyre for me. Anyway, my car seemed fine enough to drive home, so I did.
On Sunday morning (1st February 2009), a fellow by the name of Greg came to my home to sign an application form to rent a property that I have on my books (I am an Estate Agent). I told him about the accident I had had the previous night. He seemed very helpful at the time and said he would look at the car for me, which he proceeded to do. He said immediately that I could not possibly drive the car as the chassis was bent and the air bag was threatening to pop out, and advised that it was unsafe to drive the vehicle. He asked if I was insured, my reply was ‘yes, this is my very last day with my insurance – Dial Direct; I have been with them for 3 years. So he proceeded to explain that his towing company was part of Dial Direct – they would tow my car to the ‘yard’ and the assessor would be called out and the procedure of quotes and fixing would take place after the assessor had checked the damages. Greg also mentioned that they were very connected to the panel beaters and would get my excess to be included into the quote. He then called the tow truck with a big hoisting type mechanism and off went my car. He filled in a ‘delivery note’ and asked me to sign it – never once pointing out that that there were ‘terms and conditions’ on the back of it. Not for one minute did I doubt him – why would I? I am not in the habit of smashing my car and do not know the procedures involved.
On Monday 2nd February 2009, I reported the accident to my insurance company and told them that the car had already been towed to the yard. They said they would collect it and take it to the Jhb yard (Industria), where the assessor would check the car. The car was only collected by Dial Direct, five days later (Friday 6th February). I was dealing with a chap named Graham and was getting very irritable that it had taken a week for them to collect the vehicle. Finally the assessor was going to check my car on Monday 9th February.
During this period Graham had told me that his towing company was definitely not on their panel and the towing fee would be for my account. I immediately phoned Greg (the tow truck guy) and asked him why he had told me that he was part of Dial Direct – his answer was that he had been off work for a week because his Mother had passed away, so Dial Direct may not be on the panel any longer. I phoned Dial Direct and was told that his towing company had never been on their panel.
I was more than shocked to find out the fee for having towed me, less than 5km amounted to R9220-00, and I was more than horrified to find out that in order for his towing company to release my car, Dial Direct had settled the bill and was now looking at me to repay them!! Please see the attached breakdown of towing costs.
I feel strongly that this was a serious ‘misrepresentation’ – as Greg had told me that his towing company was part of Dial Direct.
I phoned the owner of this towing company to inform him of this incident. He was unavailable, but he did call me back two days later to say that he would refund me with R5840-00.
He asked me to send a fax with my banking details (see attached letter).
The next call I received was from Greg, to say that he had been fired from his job because of this incident. I told him that I agreed and it was the appropriate action on the company’s behalf, I said that he cannot go around ‘conning’ people and told him that he definitely led me to believe that my insurance company would pay the towing company. The next day I was paid a refund of a mere R581-00 and Greg was reinstated! His towing company says that he is only prepared to refund that amount, after verbally agreeing to pay me back R5840-00!!
After paying my premiums timeously for three years, I find myself having to fork out a huge sum of money, before Dial Direct will release my vehicle, as they took it upon themselves to pay this towing company, without even consulting me with regards to the outrageous amount charged. (Please see the amounts charged and how the amounts changed when Johan adjusted the prices – even the items change. The hand writing on the letter addressed to Johan is Johan’s).
The best of all…. Is that (according to the panel beater)…….MY CAR DIDN’T NEED TOWING AT ALL!!!!!!!! Apparently, there was no chance of the air-bag popping out; he says that if the air-bag was going to pop, it would have popped on impact, not after the fact!
My questions are….
1) Why did Greg get fired if all was above board?
2) What if his towing company had charged R35000-00…..? Would Dial Direct have settled that amount without querying it with them or without consulting me that now has to fit the bill?
3) How many other ‘innocent victims’ have been caught unawares?
4) How many more victims are still going to be caught?
5) Who is going to stop them in the future?
Graham from the Dial Direct says ‘tow truck drivers do this all the time and since my incident, Dial Direct has had to collect another vehicle from his towing company – paying yet another R8000-00 (EXORBITANT FEE) for another poor individual that got trapped into this SCAM!!!!!!!
BASIC FACTS
1) Greg – lied to me about being on Dial Directs panel. He also lied to me about the air-bag, popping out.
2) His towing company, lied to me about the amount of my refund.
3) The towing fee amounting to R9120-00 is exorbitant – especially considering the distance towed was less than 5km.
4) Items that were previously been charged for, have changed!
5) Greg being fired and then reinstated.
6) Dial Direct having settled this account on my behalf without even consulting me.
7) The fact that I am not the only client to be pulled into this scam
8) The fact that my car could have been driven, and did not require towing in the first place.
9) As a single female, without the knowledge of cars, air-bags, insurance processes and towing, I pay my insurance premiums for three years – without a claim- and end up having a huge debt, that quite frankly I am unable to pay at this stage.
10) CAN ANYONE HELP??????
Regards
Bev Hall
Dear Ms hall,
Thank you for your email.
If you have documentation to suport your claim your avenue for recourse would be through the courts.
This is a common situation with many bottom end insurance companies. We always recommend  Santam and  Hollard Insurance Companies, and we should know, we have been in the business for decades.
You are personally responsible for how you handle your business matters. We suggest that you read through this web site so that in future you know how to proceed when arranging a tow, in particular we suggest you read the page Know Before You Tow and our press release.
Please keep our call centre number at hand, on your cell phone and in your car and only use SATRA when you need a tow.  0861 072 872
Regards,
Team SATRA
Message from: Bev Hall email |
Dear User, please read this first if you intend to submit a complaint:-
SATRA are the professionals and towing is our business. We are the national mother lode of towers. It is also wise to avoid the middle man who has no power or authority over the towing service provider they may choose. 
Let The Buyer Beware. Your only assurance is through SATRA's Call Centre.
SATRA
EVEREST AUTO TOWING
Dear Lesedi,
SATRA
On the 8th of August 2008, I was involved in an accident and an agent towed my car to Industria. I was driving a Blue Toyota Yaris. It was on Friday and I called them on Saturday morning to release my car but they refused and said it can only be done on Monday. I wanted the car released because it is not badly damaged and thought I would use it until my insurence processes the claim. I use the car everyday and use it to go to work too. I made the tow guy aware that Im with First for women insurance and I should phone them first to authorise the towing of the car. While I was busy with the police; he phoned the insurence and gave me the phone so I can give my details and get a reference number. I did speak to someone (cant recall the name) and got a reference number which he wrote on the tow sleep and I signed. 
My name is Brenden Cavanagh and I was involved in an accident this morning at approx 7:50am at the corner of Rochester and Gillespie Rd in Durban..jpg)
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Dear Brenden, Thank you for your email.%20mini.JPG)
SATRA
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